Vegan Substitute Ingredients

Going vegan doesn’t have to be difficult. Substituting meat, eggs, milk, and cheese with plant-based (vegan) alternatives can make your transition a bit smoother, keeping your taste buds happy. Today I will share with you the foods I use to substitute for my (once) favorite animal-based favorites. As I’ve grown in my vegan ways, I find it unnecessary to imitate meat and cheese as often. But they still find their way onto my plate from time to time.

Eggs

You can buy a vegan egg substitute such as The Vegg – Vegan Egg Yolk and Energ-E Egg Replacer, or you may wish to create your own mock eggs. Below are several ways to create your own.
For Baking (replaces one egg)

1. Take 1 box of firm tofu and drain the liquid.
2. Pat the block with paper towels until most of the moisture has been removed.
3. Place block into a large bowl and press (stir) with a fork, breaking the tofu up into an egg-like texture.
4. Add your favorite veggies and fry in a pan until everything is well-cooked.

There are many imitation meats out there, including Tofurkey, Field Roast Grain Meat, and Boca Burgers. But I recommend creating your own, which will be lower in sodium, fat, and cholesterol. Let’s take a look at the options.

Tofu

Tofu, also called “bean curd”, is a food made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks. It is a component in many East Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines. There are many different varieties of tofu, including fresh tofu and tofu that has been processed in some way. Tofu has a subtle flavor and can be used in savory and sweet dishes. It is often seasoned or marinated, taking on the flavors of said seasoning. Read More

Tofu (typically) comes in 3 different varieties: Soft/Silken, Firm, and Extra Firm. The variety you choose depends on the dish you are preparing. Silken tofu is usually best for smoothies and desserts, where Firm is better at imitating meat and eggs.

Tempeh (témpé) is a traditional soy product that is originally from Indonesia. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form, similar to a very firm vegetarian burger patty. It originated in today’s Indonesia, and is especially popular on the island of Java, where it is a staple source of protein. Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans, but it is a whole soybean product with different nutritional characteristics and textural qualities. Tempeh’s fermentation process and its retention of the whole bean give it a higher content of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins. It has a firm texture and an earthy flavor which becomes more pronounced as it ages. Because of its nutritional value, tempeh is used worldwide in vegetarian and vegan cuisines, where it is used as a meat analogue. Read More

Tempeh can be fried, baked, or even boiled. It can be served alone or with vegetables, on top of salads or in a sandwich. I like to lightly fry mine in coconut oil and BBQ sauce and place it between two whole wheat buns to make a tasty (and healthy) BBQ sandwich.

protein = 15g per 1/2 cup

Seitan

Wheat gluten, also called seitan, wheat meat, mock duck, gluten meat, or simply gluten, is a food made from gluten, the main protein of wheat. It is made by washing wheat flour dough with water until all the starch dissolves, leaving insoluble gluten as an elastic mass which is then cooked before being eaten.

Wheat gluten is an alternative to soybean-based meat substitutes such as tofu. Some types of wheat gluten have a chewy or stringy texture that resembles meat more than other substitutes. Wheat gluten is often used instead of meat in Asian, vegetarian, Buddhist, and macrobiotic cuisines. Simulated duck is a common use for wheat gluten. Read More

protein = 75g per 100 grams

Cheese

According to my readers, the hardest animal-based food to give up is cheese. But you shouldn’t let it keep you from taking on a vegan diet. There are some delicious alternatives that, not only replace, but more than satisfy cravings for the dairy mold.

Some vegan cheese substitutes that you can buy are Trader Joe’s Vegan Mozzarella Style Shreds, Kite Hill Cheese, Daiya Dairy-Free Cheeses, and Follow Your Heart Non-Dairy Cheese. But making your own can be fun and healthier. Let’s take a look at a few recipes!

Another animal-based food that throws new vegans for a loop is milk. It’s a part of many people’s breakfast, and often thought of as a good source of calcium and protein. Lucky for us, there are some satisfying milk alternatives that are completely plant-based. They are also (much) tastier than their dairy-based counterparts.

Almond milk

Not only is almond milk delicious, but it is a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals that assist in growth and development. Among many other nutrients, almond milk contains Vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant), magnesium, manganese, copper, riboflavin, and monounsaturated fats.Plus, almond milk has been touted for its cholesterol-lowering and energy-boosting effects.

You can buy almond milk from most any grocery store in a variety of flavors: Sweetened, Unsweetened, Vanilla, Coconut, etc. You can also make your own by using a blender, food processor, or juicer.

Soy milk is made from soybeans. A traditional staple of Asian cuisine, it is a stable emulsion of oil, water, and protein. It is produced by soaking dry soybeans and grinding them with water. Soy milk contains about the same proportion of protein as cow’s milk: around 3.5%; also 2% fat, and 2.9% carbohydrate. Soy milk can be made at home with traditional kitchen tools or with a soy milk machine. Read More

You can also make your own coconut milk at home if you have the resources. You will need access to fresh coconuts and a blender.

directions:

1. Crack open a young coconut and pour water into blender.
2. Scoop out the flesh and also place into the blender.
3. Blend until smooth.

I hope that this article assists you in transitioning to a vegan diet with ease. The hardest part of changing your eating habits is finding alternatives to your favorite foods. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Do you have any recipes that you would like to add? Please feel free to leave a link or comment below!